Sector 36 Review: Netflix’s latest original film Sector 36 aims to send shivers down the spine with its chilling take on a serial killer, loosely inspired by the infamous 2006 Nithari killings. Directed by Aditya Nimbalkar and starring Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal, the film presents an unsettling story about violence, power, and human depravity. However, despite a strong cast and a compelling premise, the movie stumbles in its execution, leaving audiences craving the gut-wrenching impact that it promises but fails to deliver.
A Story Rooted in Horror and Realism
Sector 36 opens with an eerie scene inside a grand, isolated bungalow, where the caretaker Prem (Vikrant Massey) is watching a game show reminiscent of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The stillness of the moment is quickly shattered when we are taken to the bathroom, where a young girl’s lifeless body lies. Prem nonchalantly retrieves a butcher knife and begins hacking the corpse, setting the tone for the graphic violence that will follow.
Massey’s character, Prem, is revealed to be more than just a caretaker. He is a psychopath who kidnaps, tortures, and kills young children from the nearby slums, sometimes indulging in cannibalistic acts. He carries out these heinous crimes while his employer, Mr. Bassi (Akash Khurana), a shady businessman, remains oblivious. This dark and sinister setup is further explored when the morally exhausted Inspector Ram Charan Pandey (Deepak Dobriyal) enters the picture. His initial reluctance to confront evil is shattered when Prem attempts to kidnap his daughter.
The film sets up a classic cat-and-mouse chase, but surprisingly, it falters here. The chase, which could have been a nerve-racking pursuit, is rather brief, with Prem being caught easily. The arrest happens so quickly that it undermines the tension the narrative was working to build.
Strong Performances but a Weak Script
Vikrant Massey as Prem brings a disquieting presence to the screen, swinging between disturbing violence and absurd moments of dark humor. His portrayal of a cold-blooded killer is haunting, especially with his unsettling nervous cackle. However, Massey’s performance is constrained by a script that doesn’t allow him to fully explore the psychological depths of his character. One such instance is during Prem’s climactic confession, where he details his gruesome crimes. What should have been a horrifying revelation feels more theatrical and detached, diluting the emotional impact.
On the other hand, Deepak Dobriyal as Inspector Ram Charan Pandey delivers a nuanced performance, providing much-needed balance to the film’s dark tone. Dobriyal’s subtle humor and moments of reflection add layers to his character, making him relatable despite his flaws. Yet, like Massey, Dobriyal is held back by a script that fails to give his character the emotional gravitas needed to anchor the story.
A Conflicted Narrative and Missed Potential
One of the film’s most puzzling choices is its attempt to justify Prem’s crimes through a twisted interpretation of Newton’s third law of motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The film’s tagline suggests that Prem’s violent tendencies are somehow an inevitable consequence of his past, a notion that feels unsettling in its attempt to rationalize such horrific acts. While the film briefly touches upon Prem’s traumatic childhood, where he was abused and desensitized to violence in a butcher shop, this backstory isn’t enough to explain or justify his monstrous behavior.
The disjointed pacing of the narrative further detracts from the film’s overall impact. Nimbalkar crafts some visually striking scenes, such as Prem casually watching TV while plotting his next murder or the eerie mood of the bungalow, but the story fails to maintain a consistent flow. The film builds tension in one moment, only to dissipate it in the next with a poorly timed revelation or an anticlimactic scene.
Cinematography, Sound, and Mood: The Film’s Strengths
Despite its narrative shortcomings, Sector 36 excels in mood-building. Sourabh Goswami’s cinematography captures the film’s bleak and haunting atmosphere, whether it’s the sprawling bungalow where Prem carries out his sadistic acts or the vibrant yet grimy slums that serve as the backdrop for the story. The contrast between these two settings highlights the power dynamics at play — the rich get immediate police attention, while the poor remain invisible even when their children are disappearing.
The film’s mid-2000s timeline is also well-executed. The use of a fictionalized version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, titled Sab Banenge Crorepati, and Prem’s reliance on a classic Nokia phone adds authenticity to the period setting. Meanwhile, the music, including Dumroo by Mohit Chauhan and Saaya by Kanishk Seth, complements the eerie tone of the film, further immersing the audience in its dark world.
The Social Commentary: Power and Inequality
Sector 36 subtly touches upon societal issues, particularly the stark divide between the rich and the poor. When a wealthy industrialist’s son is kidnapped, the police launch an immediate and aggressive search, but when children from the slums go missing, they don’t even bother filing a First Information Report (FIR). This portrayal of inequality is a grim reflection of real-world disparities, where the marginalized often find themselves neglected by systems of power and justice.
Sector 36 had all the ingredients for a gripping thriller: a chilling antagonist, a conflicted protagonist, and a deeply unsettling premise. However, disjointed pacing, a script that fails to fully flesh out its characters, and a misguided attempt to justify violence prevent the film from reaching its full potential. While it offers moments of tension and strong performances, especially from Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal, the film ultimately leaves audiences feeling unfulfilled.
For those seeking a visually captivating thriller with disturbing themes, Sector 36 is worth a watch. But for viewers hoping for an emotionally resonant exploration of a serial killer’s psyche or a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase, the film might fall short of expectations.